Contaminated Site Clean-Up Information (CLU-IN)

Courses and Conferences Section Update for November 2, 2026

Mon, 2 Nov 2026 05:00:00 GMT

The CLU-IN Upcoming Courses and Conferences section was updated on November 2, 2026. There are 3 new entries, for a total of 13 upcoming courses and conferences related to hazardous waste remediation:

RemPlex: Data Readiness for Artificial Intelligence Applications in Environmental Remediation, Nov 10 , 2026, Internet Seminar
RemPlex: From Job-Search Anxiety to Career Clarity: Honest Advice for Navigating the Search for a Job in the Environmental Field, Dec 1 , 2026, Internet Seminar
ITRC Annual Meeting, Apr 5 - 8, 2027, Indianapolis, IN

Federal Contract Opportunities (FedBizOpps) Update for October 26-November 1

Sun, 1 Nov 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The latest Federal Contract Opportunities update has been posted to the CLU-IN web site. It contains summaries of procurement and contract award notices issued between October 26-November 1 that pertain to hazardous waste, solid waste, underground storage tank remediation, and other environmental topics.

Seminar: "ITRC Vapor Intrusion Mitigation (VIM-1) - A Two Part Series: Session 1" from October 22, 2026 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 23:22:00 GMT

ITRC's Vapor Intrusion Mitigation training is a series of eight (8) modules, presented over two sessions. If you took the ITRC VIM series previously, the content has stayed the same, but the new course directs people to the Vapor Intrusion (VI) Toolkit resources published in January 2026 by ITRC.

The Vapor Intrusion Mitigation training series provides an overview of VIM and presents information from the 2026 Vapor Intrusion (VI) ToolkitITRC VI Toolkit (which includes fact sheets, technology information sheets, and checklists).

Session 1:

Introduction & Overview of Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Training Team
Conceptual Site Models for Vapor Intrusion Mitigation
Community Engagement During Vapor Intrusion Mitigation
Rapid Response & Ventilation for Vapor Intrusion Mitigation
Remediation & Institutional Controls

Session 2:

Active Mitigation Approaches
Passive Mitigation Approaches
System Verification, OM&M, Curtailment and Shutdown

When certain contaminants or hazardous substances are released into the soil or groundwater, they may volatilize into soil vapor. VI occurs when these vapors migrate up into overlying buildings and contaminate indoor air. The ITRC VI Toolkit combines the previous ITRC VI-related guidance documents (VI 2007, PVI 2014, VIM-1 2020), along with updates, into one comprehensive resource toolkit (including fact sheets, technology information sheets and checklists) published in January 2026.

After the Vapor Intrusion Mitigation series, you should understand:

How to locate and utilize the relevant document, fact sheets, technology information sheets, and checklists
The importance of a VI mitigation conceptual site model
How community engagement for VI mitigation differs from other environmental matters
When to implement rapid response for VI and applicable methodologies
The differences between remediation, mitigation, and institutional controls
Available technologies for active and passive mitigation, and design considerations for various approaches
How/when/why different mitigation technologies are appropriate
How to verify mitigation system success, address underperformance, and develop a plan for curtailment of a mitigation system and shutdown

We encourage you to use the ITRC VI Toolkit and these training modules to learn about VI mitigation and how you can apply these best practices to improve decision-making at your sites. For regulators and other government agency staff, this understanding of VI mitigation can be incorporated into your own programs.

While the training makes every effort to keep the information accessible to a wide audience, it is assumed that the participants will have some basic technical understanding of chemistry, environmental sciences, and risk assessment. As with other emerging contaminants, our understanding of VI mitigation continues to advance. This training provides the participants with information on areas where the science is evolving and where uncertainty persists.

Technology Innovation News Survey for September 1-15, 2026

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:00:00 GMT

The September 1-15, 2026 Technology Innovation News Survey has been posted to the CLU-IN web site. The Survey contains market/commercialization information; reports on demonstrations, feasibility studies and research; and other news relevant to the hazardous waste community interested in technology development.

Seminar: "ITRC ITRC PFAS Introductory Training" from October 13, 2026 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 22:16:00 GMT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large and complex class of anthropogenic compounds whose prevalence in the environment are an emerging, worldwide priority in environmental and human health. The ITRC PFAS Team, formed in 2017, has prepared readily accessible materials to present PFAS information to stakeholders, regulators, and policy makers. The PFAS team represents a diverse cross-section of expertise and experience working on PFAS.

This training will include emerging science on PFAS, including topics such as Properties of PFAS, Fate and Transport, Sampling and Analysis, and Treatment Technologies. The technical presentations will be focused on those who are relatively new to PFAS. The training will last approximately 90 minutes and include time for questions.

Seminar: "ITRC ITRC: Microplastics" from October 8, 2026 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 22:55:00 GMT

In response to one of the biggest emerging environmental concerns, ITRC formed the Microplastics Team in 2021 to develop the Microplastics Guidance Document. Plastics have become pervasive in modern life and are now used in a wide range of commercial and industrial applications. Microplastics may result from the degradation and fragmentation of larger plastics, or they may be intentionally produced for specific applications and products. Regardless of their origin, microplastics are now ubiquitous in our environment. Because of their small size and pervasiveness in the environment, microplastics, along with any other contaminants which are adhered to the microplastics, may be inadvertently consumed by humans and other organisms.

The online ITRC Guidance Document is geared toward an audience with reasonable level of scientific understanding, but not microplastic-specific knowledge. The guidance provides a user with information on microplastics and the state of the applied science without having to go to the scientific literature.

The target audience for the guidance and this training course includes state regulators and environmental consultants, as well as community and tribal stakeholders.

The guidance and this associated training course uses a conceptual site model to navigate microplastics in the environment and explore the following general areas:

An introduction to microplastics, their sources, and worldwide distribution
The pathways through which microplastics can enter and travel in the environment and their distribution in various media (water, soil, sediment, air, and biota)
A current look at the most common techniques and best practices for sampling and analyzing microplastics
Potential human health and ecological risks associated with microplastics in the environment
An overview of existing regulations related to microplastics and macroplastics at the state, federal, and international levels
Examples of prevention and mitigation strategies and best management practices to reduce microplastics from entering the environment and the emerging technologies to abate, treat, and remediate microplastics once they exist in the environment
Identification of data gaps and the need for further research
Several case studies illustrating a range of current microplastics-related topics

Prior to attending the training class, participants are encouraged to view the associated ITRC Microplastics Guidance Document.

Seminar: FRTR Fall 2026 General Meeting: Recent Developments in PFAS Remediation Technologies, December 15, 2026

Fri, 9 Oct 2026 12:12:09 GMT

Introduction to the FRTR Fall 2026 Meeting
Understanding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) toxicity, sampling, behavior in the environment and treatment has required sustained efforts in technology research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E). Together with these efforts, effective technology transfer has been critical to providing remediation practitioners with best available tools and targeted remediation strategies for managing and restoring sites posing unacceptable risks. In recent years, FRTR meeting discussions have included PFAS-related topics such as "Source Differentiation and Risk Assessment"(Fall 2024), "PFAS Characterization Technologies" (Fall 2023), and "Emerging Characterization and Remedial Technologies" (Fall 2018). The pace of PFAS-related RDT&E has only increased since these earlier meetings and the PFAS knowledge base has expanded substantially.

Meeting Objective
The FRTR 2026 Fall Meeting, held in-person and virtually, focuses on advanced remediation technologies for PFAS. It provides an opportunity to share the expanding PFAS knowledge base and highlights progress in the rapidly evolving field of PFAS remediation. Invited speakers provide presentations and panel discussions to share accomplishments and new methodologies in key technical areas and discuss application of recent advances in characterization and remediation of PFAS-impacted sites. The morning session will focus on recent advances in PFAS characterization, fate, and transport. The afternoon session will build on these topics by exploring PFAS numerical modeling, technology transfer, and PFAS destruction technologies.

Courses and Conferences Section Update for October 2, 2026

Fri, 2 Oct 2026 05:00:00 GMT

The CLU-IN Upcoming Courses and Conferences section was updated on October 2, 2026. There is 1 new entry, for a total of 13 upcoming courses and conferences related to hazardous waste remediation:

FRTR Fall 2026 General Meeting on Recent Developments in PFAS Remediation Technologies, Dec 15 , 2026, Washington, DC

Seminar: "ITRC Understanding Vapor Intrusion -Introductory Concepts & Fundamentals - A Two Part Series: Session 2" from September 22, 2026 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:39:00 GMT

The Vapor Intrusion 101 training series provides an overview of vapor intrusion (VI) and presents information from the 2026 ITRC VI Toolkit (which includes fact sheets, technology information sheets, and checklists).

This course introduces participants to the fundamentals of vapor intrusion, the process by which vapor-forming chemicals in contaminated soil or groundwater volatilize and migrate into buildings. The course will discuss sources, pathways, and receptors. It will identify and assess VI risks in various settings (residential, commercial, industrial) and familiarize participants with regulatory frameworks and guidelines (e.g., USEPA, state-specific regulations). The participants will gain working knowledge of how to develop a Conceptual Site Model (CSM), design and implement sampling strategies, establish data quality objectives (DQOs), and conduct data and risk evaluations. It will provide an overview of mitigation strategies, including various closure strategies, land use covenants, and institutional controls.

Session 1 will focus on:

What is Vapor Intrusion
VI Exposure Pathway
VI in Practice - including common CSMs, Scenarios, and Chemicals
Potential Limiting Factors for VI - PVI vs Chlorinated VI, Geology, Hydrogeology, and Building Operating Conditions
How is VI Different & Challenges in Evaluating VI

Session 2 will focus on:

How VI is Different
How to assess VI - CSM, Sample Collection, Data Interpretation, Risk Assessment, and Project Life Cycle
Managing VI Risk at a Site - Mitigation, Remediation, Monitoring
What does Closure look like & Various Exit Strategies

The course will provide connections to the 2026 ITRC VI Toolkit to help the audience understand how to find and use these new resources for VI sites.

Seminar: ITRC Understanding Vapor Intrusion - Introductory Concepts & Fundamentals - A Two Part Series: Session 1, November 17, 2026

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:45:19 GMT

What is Vapor Intrusion
VI Exposure Pathway
VI in Practice - including common CSMs, Scenarios, and Chemicals
Potential Limiting Factors for VI - PVI vs Chlorinated VI, Geology, Hydrogeology, and Building Operating Conditions
How is VI Different & Challenges in Evaluating VI

Session 2 will focus on:

How VI is Different
How to assess VI - CSM, Sample Collection, Data Interpretation, Risk Assessment, and Project Life Cycle
Managing VI Risk at a Site - Mitigation, Remediation, Monitoring
What does Closure look like & Various Exit Strategies

The course will provide connections to the 2026 ITRC VI Toolkit to help the audience understand how to find and use these new resources for VI sites.

Seminar: ITRC Understanding Vapor Intrusion -Introductory Concepts & Fundamentals - A Two Part Series: Session 2, December 3, 2026

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:45:20 GMT

What is Vapor Intrusion
VI Exposure Pathway
VI in Practice - including common CSMs, Scenarios, and Chemicals
Potential Limiting Factors for VI - PVI vs Chlorinated VI, Geology, Hydrogeology, and Building Operating Conditions
How is VI Different & Challenges in Evaluating VI

Session 2 will focus on:

How VI is Different
How to assess VI - CSM, Sample Collection, Data Interpretation, Risk Assessment, and Project Life Cycle
Managing VI Risk at a Site - Mitigation, Remediation, Monitoring
What does Closure look like & Various Exit Strategies

The course will provide connections to the 2026 ITRC VI Toolkit to help the audience understand how to find and use these new resources for VI sites.

Seminar: "ITRC Understanding Vapor Intrusion - Introductory Concepts & Fundamentals - A Two Part Series: Session 1" from September 8, 2026 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 03:21:00 GMT

What is Vapor Intrusion
VI Exposure Pathway
VI in Practice - including common CSMs, Scenarios, and Chemicals
Potential Limiting Factors for VI - PVI vs Chlorinated VI, Geology, Hydrogeology, and Building Operating Conditions
How is VI Different & Challenges in Evaluating VI

Session 2 will focus on:

How VI is Different
How to assess VI - CSM, Sample Collection, Data Interpretation, Risk Assessment, and Project Life Cycle
Managing VI Risk at a Site - Mitigation, Remediation, Monitoring
What does Closure look like & Various Exit Strategies

The course will provide connections to the 2026 ITRC VI Toolkit to help the audience understand how to find and use these new resources for VI sites.

Seminar: "ITRC ITRC: Reuse of Solid Mining Waste" from September 3, 2026 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 21:53:00 GMT

Solid mining waste represents a significant quantity of waste material in the United States and around the world. Solid mining waste has a range of physical and chemical properties that make it both potentially valuable and potentially hazardous to human health and the environment. From a commercial perspective, mining removes most of the primary minerals of interest; however, waste materials can still contain valuable minerals and other materials that can be recovered. The different types of mining sites and potential wastes for reuse provide a significant challenge but also an opportunity for innovation.

Improvements in extraction and mineral processing technologies have occurred over time making it possible to recover minerals present in low concentrations. Interest in trace metals and rare earth elements (REEs) has increased, especially with the drive towards renewable energy sources increasing demand for key minerals required for solar panels and batteries. The reuse of solid mining waste can consist of reprocessing and repurposing the waste for resource recovery or a new application or product. This reuse serves as a solution to two significant needs:

a domestic supply of minerals and materials for sustainable development and national defense purposes
the reclamation and remediation of land to reduce risks to human and environmental health

The ITRC Reuse of Solid Mining Waste training and guidance document is geared towards state regulators and environmental consultants, mining and manufacturing stakeholders, community and tribal stakeholders, and other who have an interest in the potential reuse of solid mining waste.

The guidance and this associated training course includes:

Mining wastes introduction
Considerations for reusing mining waste: waste characterization, economic and market considerations, life cycle and risk assessment, regulatory considerations, & stakeholder considerations
Potential applications for the reuse of solid mining waste: examples of construction, environmental, and industrial reuses
Review of technologies used in mineral beneficiation and processing

Additionally, the guidance includes several case studies illustrating a range of current mining waste reuse scenarios. Prior to attending the training class, participants are encouraged to view the associated ITRC Reuse of Solid Mining Waste document.

Seminar: "Federal Facilities Online Academy: Groundwater Policy Overview" from August 26, 2026 has been added to the Internet Seminar Archives

Wed, 2 Sep 2026 19:36:00 GMT

Groundwater Policy and Federal Facilities Overview is a two-hour webinar course that provides an overview of U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) groundwater policies and guidance with emphasis on cleanups at federal facilities. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

Identify EPA groundwater policies;
Understand groundwater classification and beneficial use in restoration objectives;
Understand nature and extent considerations from groundwater contaminant plumes;
Explore applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs) commonly associated with groundwater remedies;
Identify groundwater considerations for monitored natural attenuation (MNA), institutional controls, and technical impracticability waivers; and,
Discover information on major groundwater policies from other federal agencies, such as Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Energy (DoE).

The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture and quizzes. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. Ideally, students should have a basic understanding the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy courses and obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire Federal Facility Academy series (12 courses total).

Courses and Conferences Section Update for September 2, 2026

Wed, 2 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

The CLU-IN Upcoming Courses and Conferences section was updated on September 2, 2026. There is 1 new entry, for a total of 13 upcoming courses and conferences related to hazardous waste remediation:

RemTEC & Emerging Contaminants Summit, Apr 13 - 15, 2027, Rosemont, IL